Iran Protests Spread Amid Widespread Economic Discontent and Unrest

Protests Erupt Across Iran Amid Economic Crisis

Demonstrations have taken place across Iran, with students and protesters gathering in cities including Tehran, Isfahan, Yazd, and Zanjan. The protests are linked to the country’s plummeting currency, which has fallen to record lows, causing import prices to rise and affecting retail traders.

According to reports from state-run news agency IRNA, 10 universities across the country have held protests, with seven of them in Tehran. The demonstrations mark the third consecutive day of protests since shopkeepers near tech and mobile phone shopping centres closed their businesses on Sunday.

The rial has been rapidly declining over recent weeks due to US sanctions and diplomatic pressure, trading at approximately 1.42 million rials to the US dollar when protests broke out. The country’s economy has been under strain since late September, when international sanctions were reinstated.

In response to the growing protests, a government spokesperson said the government will listen to the concerns of demonstrators. Fatemeh Mohajerani stated that the government recognizes the right to peaceful assembly and will “hear the voices” of protesters.

President Masoud Pezeshkian met with labour leaders on Tuesday, making proposals to tackle the economic crisis. He instructed government officials to listen to protesters’ “legitimate demands” and pledged to protect their livelihoods.

Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, noted that the Iranian public lacks faith in the government’s ability to address economic problems. The situation in Iran is complex, with severe inflation, a depreciating currency, an energy crisis, and a water crisis affecting many cities.

The protests are ongoing, with the outcome uncertain.

Source: Al Jazeera